Then a head appeared, and a pair of struggling arms, and to his joy and
amazement Randy recognized Clay. The lad's strength barely sufficed to
reach the shore, and Randy helped him out on land just as Nugget came
running from the tent.

Clay staggered up the slope and dropped down in the bushes.

"I fell off the cliff," he stammered with chattering teeth. "Ned is up
there; call to him."

Randy and Nugget shouted with all their might, and a reply was heard
instantly. Then Ned appeared far up on the cliff and waved his hand. He
vanished at once, and a moment later came impetuously down the ravine,
leaping rocks and bushes in his haste.

His face was paler than the boys had ever seen it, and tears stood in
his eyes. He hurriedly clasped hands with Randy and Nugget, and
approached Clay.

"Are you hurt, old fellow?" he asked huskily. "That was a wonderful
escape. I thought it was all up with you."

Clay smiled faintly.

"I'll be all right in a little while. I'm suffering from the shock,
that's all. I don't think there is a bruise on me."

A fire was quickly made, while Ned explained to his companions the
catastrophe that had happened on the cliff. Then Clay was stripped and
rubbed down with a coarse towel, and after his dry clothes were on he
declared he felt as well as ever.

A good dinner was prepared, and when all were seated around the flat
rock that served for a table, Ned produced the packet of letters and
gave a minute account of the wanderings and adventures which it had cost
to obtain them. The story of Randy's cake provoked much laughter, and
Randy assured Ned that he had done the proper thing under the
circumstances.

Then the other side of the story was told, and listened to with even
greater interest. Clay was chaffed unmercifully about the calf, and
Nugget also came in for a goodly share of ridicule.

The failure of the boys to find Randy's letter was a mystery at first,
but Ned finally suggested that it had been blown into the water, which
was no doubt the case.

CHAPTER XIV

CAUGHT IN THE WHIRLPOOL

About three o'clock the boys broke camp. They were now thoroughly
rested, and eager to be on the water again. Moreover the cleft among the
rocks--though admirably adapted for a hiding place--had none of the
qualifications which a good camping site should possess.

A paddle of two miles brought the party to Tanner's Dam, and when they
had carried the canoes around and embarked on the